New Christian station begins broadcasting

WUNT 88.3 FM starting with music, will expand to include local programs

Published: Monday, March 25, 2013 1:15 a.m. CST

By DONNA BARKER
dbarker@shawnews.com
Shaw News Service

SHEFFIELD – After 8 years of praying and planning, the new WUNT Christian radio station took to the airwaves Sunday, broadcasting out of its Sheffield site.

"After years of praying and planning, it is exciting to be on the threshold of beginning," WUNT 88.3 FM Program Director Paul Butler said days before the inaugural broadcast.

"Our focus now begins to shift. Working to get a station on the air is completely different from keeping a station on the air. We look forward to growing into this new role," he said.

"I'm sure there will be some bumps along the road, but it is our prayer that our programming and presence in Bureau County will foster unity in the local church as we work together to transform our community."

Due to a number of ongoing technical connection challenges linking the WUNT studio building with the transmitter site, this first week of broadcast service will offer primarily music programming, Butler said.

From 5 to 6 p.m., the radio will provide a meditative hour of music called "The Dinner Hour" which hopefully families across Bureau County will tune in for as background music during their mealtime, the station manager said.

Also, a special 2-hour version of "The Dinner Hour" will play from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday afternoons, beginning March 31.

WUNT will have a teaching hour Monday through Saturday, at 8 a.m. with R.C. Sproul's program "Renewing Your Mind" and 8:30 a.m. with "In Perspective" with Harry Reeder.

WUNT will also begin some locally produced programs in coming weeks, including "Community Voices with Linda Marlowe," at 7 a.m. Mondays and at 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, beginning April 1; "Growing Stronger Together with Meg Murphey and Marla Graham," at 8 p.m. Tuesdays and at 4:30 p.m. Saturdays, beginning April 2; and "Freedom Seekers with Pam Heil," at 8 p.m. Thursdays and 4 p.m. Saturdays, beginning April 4.

In time, WUNT hopes to offer special Sunday programming, a folk music program, Christian comedy hour and a classic Christian music program, Butler said.

More information on the nonprofit station can be found at www.wunt.org or on Facebook, or call 815-866-3148.